To have a life outside of work: an exploratory study of communication and work-life balance policies and programs in selected service (BPO) and manufacturing organizations.

Abstract

This study explores how Work-Life Balance (WLB) policies and programs are communicated in selected service (BPO) and manufacturing organizations. It specifically explores 1) the practices in communicating WLB initiatives and 2) the media choice of managers, and 3) identifies how WLB initiatives are talked about in the selected organizations through key-informant interviews with five subordinates and their immediate supervisors. E-mail was identified as the most commonly used medium in communicating WLB initiatives in the selected organizations Furthermore, face-to-face communication as a choice of medium among supervisors in communicating WLB initiatives indicates a personalized approach as it is used to monitor the WLB needs of their subordinates. The use of the initiatives are also encouraged through the interaction among employees through the emerging patterns on talks about health and well-being, family, social and spiritual balance, and work.